After reading Richard Weisser's blog this morning on self promotion, I was triggered to write this post after I did some reminiscing about the good ‘ole days in real estate. We've come a long way in real estate marketing. I can remember when I began my real estate career in the late ‘70's, and I worked for a Century 21 office in Franklin, Ma. There was no self promotion allowed. The only name on any handout could be the name of the office. We were promoting the office not ourselves. Of course, the office would buy the handouts for their agents to distribute. How times have changed!! 
Along came RE/MAX and the concept of agent promotion. The RE/MAX name and logo are on every item that is distributed, but that is displayed with a small font. The agent's name is the focal point on all handouts, yard signs, business cards and advertising in general. We have teams that promote themselves and each of their team members on every piece of advertising.
For my team and me, our handouts are never ending. I continually attempt to advertise on many different types of handouts. We have had our names and faces on playing cards that we donated to the senior center in town; pencils for the schools; book markers for the town library to offer for free; mouse pads as shown above; shopping bags for anyone and everyone; coffee mugs for the general public; zippered day timers for business people; hard candy in candy jars; sweatshirts that are worn by numerous adults and children throughout the town and many more items. I also make sure my team name is visible in as many local events as possible. My team members and I give a scholarship of $1000 to a graduating senior from Franklin High School every year. My team members are there to present it personally during awards night. Self promotion is the essence of maintaining business.
We have noticed that conventional offices are now being pressured to change their philosophy and rules on self promotion for their agents. Times are changing and self promotion should be done in unison with daily and weekly inventory promotion. It's just another sign of the times.
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